I'm going for Monk Fish - this is a common fish among trawled catches and as the first stage processing is often done 'at sea' the meaty tails of this fish are taken and the head goes overboard often to become strandline curios. Well it has to be said they are fairly hideous and could scare your customers away if displayed in the fishmongers - lets face it even a mother monk fish may struggle to kiss that mouth.

Ah - well this is where the use of 'Latin' names over common is so much better! In the fishmongers the fish we are describing here is called 'monkfish tails'. And this is angler Lophius piscatorius. The one often listed in fish books as monkfish you are absolutely right is not related - it is an angel shark Squatina squatina - and of course does not have proper bones at all. So.... we should all have used the Latin to avoid the confusion! - and of course when not in Britain there are dozens of other 'common names' used as well

Absolutely. Latin names are preferable when naming any species, as they are universally the same, and can't be confused - however for people less interested in biology common names are easier and they can put an image to the name. The NaturePlus forums have many people that don't study biology, but enjoy showing pictures of animals (vertebrate or otherwise) they've found, so common names should be used as well as latin names where possible.

Hi all, there's an articulated head of 'monkfish' (or angler, or Lophius......!) on this brilliant site http://theboneman.com/BBB2.html Lee has a load of books on skeletons and now has these super pics of other peoples articulations - fab!